We live in a visual world. A world where there’s so much transparency that information travels faster than ever. The problem is technology. Information is so abundant that it’s easy to get information overload. Did you know that 75% of what you learn in a workshop, event or class (or even sermon) is forgotten within 24 hours! That’s why it’s really important to communicate with repetition and themes. I’ll have to blog about that next week but for today I want to speak to you about the church intro packet.

Whether your church is large or small I think it’s a great idea to do an intro packet. First of all, let’s cover what the intro packet is not. It is NOT your weekly church program. It’s not your church bulletin or your announcements list. It can include those things, but it’s much more than that.

The Intro packet is a set of information that tells people who are new to your congregation about your mission, your values, your leadership, and how to get in touch with you. Yes, they can find that stuff on the website, but there’s something about having a tangible item in your hands that deepens any experience.

One of the best intro packets I ever received was from the church of an ex-boyfriend. His church was small, about 30 people. I was probably the only visitor to his church that Sunday but the following week I received an intro packet in the mail to the address that I listed on my visitor’s card.

It was lovely. It was a folder with the following items inside it:

• A hand written Thank-You card telling me that I’m in their prayers and thanking me for visiting with them
• A brief bio about the pastor, how the church was founded, and their biblical beliefs.
• A brief update about their service in the community, ongoing volunteer efforts and contact information for their missions teams.
• A schedule of their services, meetings, youth groups (yes, as small as they were they had one) and trips.

I was delighted, and I still remember the name of that church and how welcomed they made me feel. I visit a lot of churches. Even when I am visiting a new city I’ll find a church to attend, and I can’t count how many I’ve stepped foot in but I can tell you that Rehoboth Pentecostal Church will make you feel welcome and what they believe.

There are a few ways to deliver an intro packet. I don’t think it fits within every church budget (or staffing abilities) to mail a packet to each new visitor, but I do think that an intro packet should be available to everyone that walks in the door. The information doesn’t have to be in a folder, it doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be attractive. It can be a simple one-page document rolled up and tied with a ribbon like a scroll.

If you don’t have an intro packet I challenge you to try this for just 3 months. If you do have one, please share in the comments below what yours has, and how you use it.

Until next week…

-Beatrice

P.S. If I get at least 10 comments below to create an intro-packet template I’ll create one, so spread this post and let me know if that’s a resource that you need.

My face lights up every time I meet someone at church and find out they found us online. As a geeky girl, it does my heart good to know that the internet, a tool that can be used for so much selfishness and scam, can be used for God. One of the ways that you can really take advantage of this is by setting up a Facebook page for your church.

Now, having a page up is all fine and dandy, but if you don’t use it and have a variety of content it really won’t work to spread the message and work that you’re trying to achieve. One of the ways I’ve been able to help my church in this is by pulling my corporate experience into the social media matrix.

Here’s what we do: Every day of the week we post 2 different messages. We vary the messages each day of the week and actually have a formula for what we post and when. This gives variety to our community without becoming predictable and stale. If someone was to “study” our page they could definitely figure out the formula, but because there’s so much variety in it, the perception is not formulaic.

Here’s an exercise to start you off for your church’s Facebook page:

1) On Mondays post a thought to focus on for the week

2) On Tuesdays link to an inspirational video. The video can be one that you create, or one that is in alignment with your churches values and mission. (you can create videos easily at animoto.com)

3) On Wednesdays ask a question. Survey your audience and find out something relevant to the message delivered in Sunday’s sermon

4) On Thursdays profile a breakthrough or victory that has happened for a member of the church, a prayer that’s been answered or a miracle witnessed within or outside of the church in popular news

5) On Fridays post an inspirational scripture or passage to lead in for the weekend

6) On Saturdays share an event happening in the community you serve. Make it un-church related. Show that you live within the community and not just within the 4 walls of your church

7) On Sundays share notes for the sermon, or lyrics for a song, or the topic/focus for the day

As you implement this formula you’ll start to see what works for your church and what their needs are. As people start to engage with the page you’ll also see how you need to tweak this formula. Add in what is needed, delete what isn’t. Watch for the impact that your Facebook page has. You’ll be amazed!

(Feel free to watch my church’s page for ideas and inspiration)

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